Pursuing a Passion for People

Two students, two different disciplines. One shared belief in paying it forward.

Through the financial support they received at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Koh Shing Yee and Ravshaan Singh have found the freedom to uplift others in need. And in their journeys of giving back to the people around them, they are discovering the ripple effect that kindness creates. 

Koh Shing Yee: A Future Doctor Who Puts People First

In the rural mountains of the Philippines, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) student Koh Shing Yee spent her days building a wash basin for an elementary school. Her favourite moments were the evenings, when the local children came looking for the student volunteers. There were games of volleyball and soccer together, peaceful strolls around the village and piggyback rides along the way. 

Beneath the laughter and joy, they led a humble way of life, cooking meals over wood-burning stoves and making do with intermittent electricity and water supply. Yet, the children found delight in the simplest things, like braiding flowers into the volunteers’ hair. To this day, the children and their resilience still hold a place in Shing Yee’s heart. 

Shing Yee spent time with local children in the Philippines during Operation Orion, an Overseas Community Involvement Programme (OCIP).

Reflecting on the experience, Shing Yee realised how giving is often a two-way exchange.

“The community ultimately gifted me with far more than I can give them,” she reflected. “Every community I encountered taught me invaluable lessons about their culture and outlook on life. Their tenacity, positivity and adaptability in the face of adversity never ceases to inspire me to become a better version of myself.”

Shing Yee was once on the receiving end of kindness herself, as a recipient of the Giving to the Next Generation Project. An endowed bursary fund at NUS Medicine, the Project supports medical undergraduates in financial need, empowering them to grow into capable and compassionate healthcare leaders. Thanks to generous financial support from donors, Shing Yee has been able to dedicate her time to helping others and making a difference.

In the same year, Shing Yee also served as Project Director for a healthcare community service project in Kampong Kdei and Baray in Cambodia. The project brought together undergraduates from healthcare majors in NUS, including Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine. Together, they conducted health screenings, delivered health education lessons at local elementary schools and engaged non-profit organisations and fellow healthcare students in Cambodia.

Shing Yee checking a local villager’s vital signs during a community health screening in Cambodia.

Shing Yee’s interest in humanitarian work also took her beyond Southeast Asia. At the International Swiss Talent Forum in Switzerland, Shing Yee exchanged ideas with peers from around the world on improving access to clean water. She was there to represent Singapore, with her participation sponsored by the National Youth Achievement Award Council.

Shing Yee (second row, extreme left) and her peers at the International Swiss Talent Forum.

“The financial support I received provided me with an essential peace of mind. It gave me the freedom to engage in global initiatives that I might otherwise have missed,” she said. “This has furthered my interests in humanitarian work on a global scale.” 

Now in her third year of medical school, Shing Yee already knows what kind of doctor she wants to become. She is committed to mentoring juniors by sharing her medical knowledge and experience. She also reminds herself to stay grounded and treat every colleague with respect and patience. 

When it comes to patients, that same calling that drives her volunteering holds true. Shing Yee sees patients as people first. She said: “Above all, I am driven to treat people rather than medical conditions.”

Ravshaan Singh: A Future Changemaker Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders

Ravshaan Singh’s longstanding curiosity about the human was shaped by his lived experiences; amongst them is the influence of his mother. A teacher by profession, she taps on her undergraduate studies in psychology to support students with special educational needs. The impact of her work inspires her son deeply, leading him down the same path to study psychology at university. 

He is now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Business at NUS, supported by the NUS Alumni & Friends Scholarship. It has given him the freedom to explore his academic interests and pursue his passion in understanding people. 

Growing up, Ravshaan drew inspiration from his mother’s work supporting students with special educational needs.

“From a young age, I found myself fascinated by the way the human brain works and how its uniqueness shapes our actions, thoughts, and behaviours,” Ravshaan shared. “My interest in cognitive sciences motivated me to strive for higher education and aim to use this knowledge to bring about a positive impact in the world around me.” 

This positive impact starts with people. Ravshaan’s passion for people development started from his extracurricular activities in secondary school, and has continued to grow throughout his university years. Today, he devotes himself to CAPTSLAM Queensway, a programme where he mentors students from Queensway Secondary School. Session by session, he helps them build confidence, discover their strengths and find their footing as young leaders. 

“It has been undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling parts of my university experience!” he enthused. 

This past summer, the Scholarship took him to Botswana, as part of the NUS STEER (Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment) programme. 

Through a blend of classroom study, site visits, and community engagement, Ravshaan had the opportunity to immerse himself with the people and in their culture. Engaging with the local community gave him a real-world perspective of what he had studied about psychosocial interactions, the human condition and different pedagogical approaches. 

Ravshaan (top row, extreme right) and his peers in Botswana for the NUS STEER programme.

The eye-opening experience has reshaped his worldview and how he applies what he learns in the classroom to the real world. 

Be part of the cycle of giving by supporting students with a heart for the community. Gifts made to the Plant-It-Forward Bursary contribute to NUS’ Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme. What’s more, every S$1,000 is recognised with a new tree planted on campus.